Was that Ivan fellow really very poor? (8)

I believe the answer is:

terrible

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'poor?' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for terrible that I've seen before include "Like tsar Ivan IV" , "Atrocious" , "Frightful" , "Awful, dreadful" , "Awful, dire" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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